TRAI Cracks Down on High Internet Charges for PM-WANI Wi-Fi Kiosks
PDOs to Get FTTH Plans at Fair Rates, Not More Than Double of Retail Prices
New Delhi, June 16, 2025:
To give a much-needed push to the PM-WANI scheme, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a new tariff order aimed at making internet access cheaper for small Wi-Fi providers, known as Public Data Offices (PDOs).
According to the latest Telecommunication Tariff (71st Amendment) Order, 2025, all telecom companies will now be required to offer their retail broadband (FTTH) plans up to 200 Mbps to PDOs at rates that are no more than double what regular home users pay for the same plan.
TRAI said this step was necessary because the PM-WANI scheme – meant to provide affordable public Wi-Fi across the country – was not spreading fast enough, largely due to high connectivity charges from telecom service providers (TSPs) and internet service providers (ISPs).
“Many service providers were forcing PDOs to take costly leased line connections, calling them commercial agreements.
This was hurting small businesses and defeating the purpose of affordable public Wi-Fi,” said S.B. Singh, Secretary (In-charge), TRAI.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had already taken a step in September 2024 by removing the rule that PDOs must sign such commercial deals with TSPs.
Following this, TRAI revised its earlier draft order and held public consultations and an open discussion with stakeholders in April 2025.
The final order, now released, aims to strike a balance between keeping costs low for small PDOs and allowing service providers to earn reasonably.
“This move will make it easier and cheaper for local entrepreneurs to set up public Wi-Fi kiosks under the PM-WANI scheme.
It’s a step toward affordable internet for all, especially in rural and underserved areas,” added Singh.
The full details of the tariff order are available on TRAI’s official website www.trai.gov.in.
